The Future of Controlled Environment Agriculture – 5 Predictions
Since you’re reading this article right now, you’ve probably heard a bit about the vertical farming trends, But now you’re searching for a deeper explanation into the controlled environment agriculture (CEA), indoor farming and urban agriculture trends. Investors and producers alike are talking about this fascinating technology and the many problems it can help the world solve. But what exactly is CEA and where’s it going?
What is CEA?
At its most basic, controlled environment agriculture is a method of growing plants indoors. This allows growers to control temperature, humidity, and other aspects of the plant’s environment. It also minimizes exposure to outdoor pests, pollution, and unpredictable extreme weather.
This technology is allowing us to grow crops in places that were previously barren, regardless of climate, season, or conditions. It can create greater yields with no need to wait for the seasons to change, and turns seasonal work into full-time employment in far better conditions. CEA is also solving problems related to soil degradation with technologies like hydroponics and aeroponics. If that weren’t enough, vertical farming within CEA buildings means we can grow far more food in far less space, allowing us to feed an expanding population. And as exciting as the benefits of CEA today may be, the future is even brighter.
Predictions about the Future of CEA
There are a number of ideas floating around about what CEA will be like years from now. Here are a few of the most intriguing.
1. Local will Become More Important than Organic
The buzzword for healthy greens has been “organic” for quite a while now. You’ll see organic produce all over the shelves of your favorite grocery store. But consumers are beginning to understand that organic doesn’t necessarily mean better.
People are continuing to question bigger corporations. And since they’re the ones producing the majority of our organic foods, the label is losing a bit of its shine. In the coming years, it’s likely that buyers who have insisted on organic produce will begin to look more for local brands. Since CEA offers the ability to grow food in any climate, regardless of season, it’s a clear choice for local farmers to offer off-season veggies and fruits to their communities.
2. Growth of Sustainable Urban Ag
Urban agriculture was an unheard-of concept not all that long ago. With its focus on vertical farming, CEA is making it possible to run a productive farm in a smaller footprint than ever before. This means farms that used to require huge tracts of land can now be placed in urban settings on as little as an acre and a half while using less water.
Urban Ag is vital to promoting health and wellness in our cities. Where there are now food deserts, devoid of fresh fruits and vegetables, CEA fresh farms can offer much-needed healthy greens and other produce. And with a far shorter supply chain, these farms can offer the freshest, most delicious food around for a fraction of the cost of imports and significantly lower consumption of natural resources.
3. Small Farms Regain Traction
For the past several decades, the family farm has been on the decline. Smaller farms simply can’t compete with large, commercial enterprises and their insanely large budgets. CEA farming is working to turn this trend around.
Instead of huge corporate behemoths, CEA farmers can offer local, consistent, trustworthy fresh foods. These smaller operations can focus on the quality of the goods they produce instead of the bottom line and their shareholders’ profits.
4. More CEA Variety
Right now, there are certain types of plants that thrive in the CEA setting, like leafy greens, fresh herbs and cropping fruits like peppers and tomatoes. In fact, these two categories make up the majority of CEA offerings for the moment. But new varieties are being developed and it’s only a matter of time before this restriction changes.
At Eden Green Technology, we’re working on a number of fruits and vegetables including strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, snap peas, celery, and cucumbers. Imagine going to your local grocer and picking up a pound of strawberries that were just picked yesterday, in the dead of winter. This could be reality in the near future!
5. A New Definition of Fresh
Right now, if you go to your local grocery store and pick up some apples, they’re likely already a year old. Other offerings in the produce department are likely not much younger. And yet, we call them “fresh” fruits and vegetables.
Because CEA can dramatically shorten the supply chain, it offers the ability to go from plant to market in just 48 hours. While apples aren’t in the offering in most CEA operations just yet, plenty of truly fresh, locally grown veggies and fruits will likely be available year-round in markets across the country and around the world.
The future is as yet unwritten, and nobody knows what tomorrow may bring. But one thing is for certain: controlled environment agriculture already offers farming technologies that our parents’ generation never even dreamed of. Imagine the possibilities it will present to generations to come!